a person riding a wave on top of a surfboard

Kenting National Park

Taiwan's southern tip, with warm bays, coral reefs and the Eluanbi lighthouse for a beach and coast trip.

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Kenting National Park covers the southern end of the Hengchun Peninsula in Pingtung County, at the southern tip of Taiwan's main island. The coast has sandy bays, rocky headlands and coral reef. Most people come for the reef, to snorkel and swim. Eluanbi Lighthouse stands near the southern tip and is the park's best-known landmark. You can reach the park by road from Kaohsiung or Pingtung.

The park suits a beach-focused trip with time for snorkeling, coastal walks and seafood in the towns around the bays. It has fewer city sights than other parts of Taiwan, so pick it if you want the sea more than museums. Summer is hot and humid, and typhoon season falls in the warm months, so check conditions before you book boat trips. Plan at least two to three days to reach the main bays and the lighthouse without rushing.

Kenting National Park in five

Pay admission at four sites onlyThe park headquarters says only Kenting National Forest Recreation Area, Eluanbi Park, Maobitou Park and Frog Rock charge admission. Other scenic spots are free to enter.Park Q&A
Stay out of the protected zonesShadao beach and the Nanrenshan and Longkeng ecological protection areas need an application. The coast from Chufongbi to Jialeshuei is open only for research and beach cleanups.
Swim at South Bay or Little BayThe park lists South Bay and Little Bay for swimming, Houbihu and Wanlitong for snorkeling and Houbihu for scuba diving. Check weather warnings before you enter the water.
Take a bus from Kaohsiung, not a trainThe Tourism Administration puts the nearest Taiwan Railways stations more than 35 km from the park headquarters. Kaohsiung Bus and Pingtung Bus serve Kenting from Kaohsiung and from Hengchun Airport.Kaohsiung travel guide
Check tides and sunsets on the park siteThe headquarters publishes tidal information and sunrise and sunset pages. Use them to time the Eluanbi lighthouse area and the shoreline walks.

Things to do in Kenting National Park

See all attractions in Kenting National Park

Park · Kenting National ParkSheding Natural Park

Sight · Kenting National ParkKenting National Forest Recreation Area

Landmark · Kenting National ParkEluanbi LighthouseGo early or late in the day to avoid the crowds and the midday heat.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Kenting National ParkPut the places you like in Kenting National Park on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Entrance: Free at most spots; fees at four sites, listed by the headquarters
Permits: Needed for Nanrenshan, Longkeng and Shadao; apply to the headquarters
Season: Open all year; typhoon season normally runs May to November
Nearest town: Hengchun, then Kenting village near the headquarters
Getting there: Bus from Kaohsiung or Hengchun Airport; rail stations over 35 km away

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low20°Dry, mild
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low21°Dry, mild
MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh24°Low22°Warm, dry
AprilPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Hot
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hot, rain
JuneRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Typhoon season
JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low28°Typhoon risk
AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Typhoon risk
SeptemberRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Typhoon risk
OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Warm, clearer
NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, mild
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh23°Low21°Dry, mild

Average daily high and low in Hengchun, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Kenting National Park

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 26°
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 27 km/h
Chance of rain: 97%

Kenting National Park

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today27°23°97%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
Wed28°24°38%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 38%.
Thu29°23°33%Thursday: Fog. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 33%.
Fri29°24°49%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 49%.
Sat27°23°73%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 73%.
Sun28°24°61%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 61%.
Mon27°23°70%Monday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 70%.

Updated 01:32 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 32.64 TWD

Amount

Converted to

TWD · New Taiwan Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Kenting National Park

Stays in Kenting and HengchunBeach strip or the market townCheck availability

Car or scooter hireBays are far apart; IDP rules applyCompare cars

eSIM for the south coastMaps for bays, buses and tidesRead the guide

Insurance for water daysSwimming, snorkeling and stormsRead the guide

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Rules for Kenting National Park, checked

Admission is charged only at Kenting National Forest Recreation Area, Eluanbi Park, Maobitou Park and Frog Rock; other scenic spots are free.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Shadao beach and the Nanrenshan and Longkeng ecological protection areas need an application. The Chufongbi to Jialeshuei coast is restricted.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source

Plan around Kenting National Park

Kaohsiung

The usual gateway, with buses south to Kenting.

Read the guide Kaohsiung or Tainan

Which southern city to pair with the coast.

Read the guide Tainan

Forts and temples north of Kaohsiung.

Read the guide Taitung

The east coast, around the southern tip.

Read the guide International driving permit

What UK license holders need to drive in Taiwan.

Read the guide All of Taiwan

Rail, entry rules and when to go.

Read the guide

Kenting National Park FAQ

Is there an entrance fee for Kenting National Park?

Not for the park as a whole. The headquarters says admission is charged only at Kenting National Forest Recreation Area, Eluanbi Park, Maobitou Park and Frog Rock. Parking lots have their own fees, listed on the headquarters' tickets and parking page.

How do you get to Kenting from Kaohsiung?

By bus. The Tourism Administration lists Kaohsiung Bus and Pingtung Bus services between Kaohsiung, Hengchun and Kenting, and the same operators meet flights at Hengchun Airport. The nearest rail stations are more than 35 km from the park headquarters.

Where can you swim in Kenting?

The headquarters lists South Bay and Little Bay for swimming, Houbihu and Wanlitong for snorkeling and Houbihu for scuba diving. Heed any water-activity warnings, especially during typhoon season.

Do you need a permit to visit parts of Kenting?

For most sights, no. Shadao beach and the Nanrenshan and Longkeng ecological protection areas need an application, and the coast from Chufongbi to Jialeshuei is open only for research and beach cleanups. Apply to the headquarters.

When is the best time to visit Kenting?

The cooler months, roughly November to March, are the most comfortable on the south coast. Typhoon season normally runs from May to November, per GOV.UK, so build a spare day into any summer or early autumn visit.